Fourth generation Henzell starts work

The Henzell name is set to continue in the iconic Caloundra real estate business with fourth generation Mclean Henzell joining the company that was founded by his great grandfather, Roy Henzell senior back in 1935.

The 22-year-old will work alongside his father Roy and grandmother Judy Henzell in the family business.

“We have a very close relationship, but it’s still a bit intimidating to work with dad and try to live up to the family name,” he said.

“It’s pretty special being the fourth generation in the family to do it ... I hope if I have kids they’ll take over the business one day.”

Mclean, who completed a bachelor of applied science in construction management before travelling overseas, said joining his dad in the Bulcock Street operation was something he had always wanted to do.

While he has started in residential sales, Mclean said he already had plans to expand the business.., but probably not outside the Sunshine Coast.

“I’d love to start my own construction company under the Henzell name and do projects with dad, like Rumba at Bulcock Beach, and some commercial stuff,” he said.

He also said he believed Caloundra would always be the company’s home.

“We’ll continue to develop our franchises in Mooloolaba and Maroochydore, but I can’t see us going further than the Sunshine Coast,” he said.

Mclean paid credit for the success of the Henzells brand to his nan, Judy, who has been involved with the company since her own father put up the shingle more than 70 years ago.

“Nan was probably the biggest influence in keeping the company going because she kept the family close knit,” he said.

And Mclean’s father Roy said it was an exciting time for the company, with a range of business expansion opportunities on the table.

“The real estate office encompasses a whole heap of businesses, compared to when I started. Back then we had the traditional holiday letting, permanent letting and sales ... now there are so many more adjuncts,” Roy said.

He said the key to success in family business was to have fun and take pride in what your predecessors had built.

Judy Henzell, who recently celebrated her 80th birthday, said, “I think our ethics, and the fact that we’ve been in the industry for so long, has instilled good business skills in the family”.

And Mrs Henzell said she hoped the family tradition would continue, saying her father would be proud of the family’s business success.

“He was a very forward thinking and clever and astute man,” she said.

“He loved Caloundra and he saw a great future here, which he proved when he bought the land which is now Pelican Waters when no one else would look at it.

“I’d like to see the name carried on. I won’t be around then, but it would make my father very proud.”